Means for stage exhibiting card plays of bridge games



Feb. 22, 1938. R, mLPATRlcK 2,109,175

MEANS FOR STAGE EXHIBITING CARD PLAYS OF BRIDGE GAMES Filed March 9', 1936 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v IIN IVENTOR fls M7 ATTORNEY 1938- .1. R. KILPATRICK 2,109,175

MEANS FOR STAGEEXHIBITING CARD PLAYS OF BRIDGE GAMES Filed March 9, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fi- /i Mflq,

ATTO R N EY Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES lVIEANS FOR STAGE EXHIBITING CARD PLAYS OF BRIDGE GAMES John Reed Kilpatrick, New York, N. Y.

Application March 9, 1936, Serial No. 67,848

1 Claim.

The object of the present invention is to provide means by which a large audience in a theatre or auditorium may have visually exhibited before it the card play of a bridge game, in such manner that the hand of each player is shown for visual reading and each play is shown by the actual movement of gigantic cards equivalent to those of each player, so that each member of the audience may judge the wisdom of the mental deductions of the players as the bids and plays are made, and may also judge the skill of the players in items of selection of leads and finesse.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view in plan showing a series of platforms and runways, and the position of gigantic cards thereon in position for initial play.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the structure and means shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line 33, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of one of the enlarged cards.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that I have provided four spaced platforms in various degrees of elevation. The uppermost platform l is adapted to hold thirteen operators 2, each holding one enlarged card 8a of a bridge deck of cards. Below platform I is a centrally located table 4 behind which is a platform 5 adapted to hold four operators 5:1: with advanced cards 85c, the table preferably being disposed somewhat above waist high, as to the height of the operators and having a wall vertically covering the area between its upper surface and base.

At the left of table 6 is a platform 6, and at its right a platform 1, each adapted to hold thirteen operators with advanced cards 8x.

Below table 4 is a platform 8 adapted to hold thirteen operators with advanced cards 8:13.

It is apparent that the cards held by the operators on platform I represent the cards held by the North player of a bridge game; that those on the left platform 6 represent the cards held by the West player. The cards on platform 1 represent the cards held by the East player and those on platform 8 represent the cards held by the South player.

The actual bridge game may be held nearby or remotely from the staged platforms and table. As an example, a loud speaker S may be used to announce to the audience facing the stage the successive bids of each player, North, East, South and West, in the proper successive order,

and following display on the platforms of the hands held by said actual players.

The final or conclusive bid is announced and the first play by the player on the left of the successful bidder is immediately signalled to the stage, as by telephone or radio announcer S. Say the ace of hearts of Easts hand is playedthe operator on platform 1 with that card representation held in front of him as a visual shield, advances quickly to a point rearwardly of table 4 10 and on platform 5 where the card remains above the tablejin vertical position at rest, to await the succeeding three plays. The second, third and fourth plays are visually shown in the same manner as the first play, so that four cards will 15 be shown simultaneously above table 4. Deduction by the audience as to which of the four players takes the trick is immediately made, so that after a very brief interval following the fourth play, the operators move the enlarged cards to horizontal position, as, for example, down on the table, simultaneously with a bending or crouching movement of their bodies to positions bid by the table, thus visually showing the end of the first play. The succeeding players follow in the same manner.

The number of operators holding gigantic cards on the platforms I, 6, I and 8, gradually diminishes as the hand of bridge proceeds, en-. abling the audience to make quicker deductions as to what the following plays will logically be, and increasing the interest. While the audience has an advantage over any one of the players in that all of the cards are exposed to view, the skill of the players, nevertheless, is visually shown in a most effective manner, and as a means of teaching bridge by trial and error, the invention is of the high type.

It will be understood that the cards 81:,best shown in Figure 3, may be of any desired size, preferably at least six feet high by three feet wide. There should be two side handles 9 attached to the rear face of the card, or top handles i0, also at said rear face. In the normal advanc ing movement of the operators, each from his respective platform to a position rearwardly of platform 4, handles 9 are used. When the respective play is over and the operator bends so as to be concealed by the vertical wall of table 4, he may grasp handles 10 and conveniently pull the card from the table as he withdraws to the stage wings with his card for reassembly to new deal position.

The cards 83: may be made of any suitable material, as, for example, plyboard, sheet metal,

plasterboard, etc., and each may be an exact replica of one of the fifty-two cards of a bridge deck, or may be simplified as to face indicia, as desired.

It will be understood that the platforms I, 6, 1 and 8 must be formed with table platforms 5 by runways or steps II, the runway or stepway from platform I to platform 5 being downward and from platform 8 leading upward, whilst platforms 6 and 1 may be on, or substantially, the.

same plane as platform 5. Of course, a single long platform may constitute platform-sections, 6, 5 and 1, as indicated by the drawings.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:-

Means for stage exhibiting card plays of bridge games, comprising a stage setting composed of an upper horizontal relatively narrow and long platform adapted to hold thirteen persons standing side by side, a lower platform of like adaptation, a central platform adapted to hold four persons standing, platforms to the left and right of the central platform and extending in the same longitudinal direction as that of the upper and lower platforms, said left and right platforms being each adapted to hold thirteen persons standing side by side, and runways connecting the central platform with each of the remaining platforms.

JOHN REED KILPA'I'RICK. 

